Top Volunteer Feted For Work With Disabled

April 27, 1985|By Valerie Hill-Morgan, Staff Writer

Robert ``Bob`` Tannen was named Broward County`s ``Volunteer of the Year`` Friday at the 15th Annual Volunteer Recognition Program.

Tannen, 69, of Sunrise received the top honor -- a mahogany plaque with a clock on it and a personal letter of commendation from President Reagan -- for his work with the severely mentally retarded and developmentally disabled. He offers help at the Ann Storck Center, 1790 SW 43rd Way in Fort Lauderdale.

``I don`t believe it. This is too much for me,`` said Tannen, a shy, humorous man who still blushes though he has been featured in area newspapers for his volunteer work. ``I do it for the patients.

``I`m going to continue to volunteer there until they have to carry me out. This is just a clock and a letter. That`s all,`` Tannen said, shooing away several people who were headed to congratulate him.

Tannen was among 133 volunteers who were honored for donating more than 150 hours of service each to various non-profit agencies during the past year. The program is sponsored by the Volunteer Action Center of Broward County.

``A committee of the Volunteer Action program selects the ``Volunteer of the Year`` according to who really gave the most,`` public relations director Judi Nyitray said. ``It doesn`t always mean the person who has given the most hours or the most years will be selected. We have to weigh the impact of their service.``

For 4 1/2 years, Tannen has gone religiously to the Ann Storck Center two days a week, spending about two to three hours working with the center`s clients.

Tannen, described by workers at the center as ``patient, hard working and humble,`` taught a retarded man there how to pick flowers. He has helped teach retarded children to color, play with building blocks and to hold a spoon. Every month, he has thrown a big barbecue, arranging for bands or other entertainment, for the clients at Ann Storck Center.

``Although Bob has never had formal training in working with the mentally retarded, he has a natural gift for teaching,`` said Marilyn Mayhill, executive director of the Volunteer Action Center of Broward County.

``It really touches me to see people who are willing to give so many days and hours and years of their time,`` Mayhill said. ``People do this for no recognition -- out of the genuine desire to help others.``

The other finalists for the Volunteer of the Year award were:

(BU) Dell Adams, a Tamarac resident who has worked 12 1/2 years at the Association for Retarded Citizens Thrift Store in Fort Lauderdale.

(BU) Richard Chernok, a retired attorney from Sunrise who has been working with the Fort Lauderdale branch of the Jewish Family Service of Broward County since the agency`s inception in 1981.

(BU) Mort Gerstenzang, a Sunrise resident who has worked with Community Services in the city of Sunrise for six years.

(BU) Evelyn Glaser of Hollywood whohas worked five days a week as a volunteer at the Area Agency on Aging. She has been instrumental in developing the Mobile Medical Clinic.

(BU) Rose Hajdu, a Fort Lauderdale resident who has worked as a volunteer secretary at the Southeast Focal Point Senior Center for about two years.

(BU) Beatrice Hurd of Fort Lauderdale who has worked as an American Red Cross volunteer for 18 years at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale. She has chaired the American Red Cross program for 10 years.

(BU) Marie Maxson, a Pompano Beach resident, who has worked as program director of the volunteer Broward County Reach for Recovery Program for mastectomy patients. She created the program 15 years ago.

(BU) Fred Mills, who lives in Fort Lauderdale, who has worked as a volunteer with the United Way of Broward County for about a year. Mills, a stroke victim, has dedicated time stuffing United Way mailings and other materials even when he was not well.

(BU) Robert Proctor, a Hollywood resident, has been a volunteer driver for the Hollywood branch of the American Cancer Society`s Road to Recovery Program. He has served for three years.

(BU) Mildred Nutter of Wilton Manors has worked as a volunteer for 18 years, assisting in arts and crafts and other activities at the Palm Court Nursing Center in Wilton Manors.